Accessible Data Visualizations for Visually Impaired Users

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided, at an accessible electronic device having a visual display with a touch-sensitive surface, for displaying on the visual display a graphic visualization having a plurality of graphic elements, and in response to detecting a navigation gesture by a finger on the touch-sensitive surface, selecting one of the plurality of graphic elements and outputting accessibility information associated with the selected graphic element. Systems and methods are also provided for generating computer code for converting a data set into graphic visualization annotated with accessibility information.

FIELD

The technology described in this patent document relates to techniquesfor making data accessible for the visually impaired.

BACKGROUND

Currently, digital data visualizations are not accessible for blind andvisually impaired users. This lack of access is a barrier to success ineducation (particularly STEM (Science, technology, Engineering, andMathematics) disciplines), lifelong learning, employment, and personalnavigation.

Certain types of visualizations can be comprehended by visually impairedusers when the data is represented in table format, e.g., simple barcharts and pie charts. However, complex visualizations that use spatialrelationships, size, color, line weight, and other visualcharacteristics to convey information are currently not accessible.Examples of these complex visualizations include scatter plots, seriesplots, network diagrams, geographic maps, floor plans, etc.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methodsare provided, at an accessible electronic device having a visual displaywith a touch-sensitive surface, for displaying on the visual display agraphic visualization having a plurality of graphic elements, and inresponse to detecting a navigation gesture by a finger on thetouch-sensitive surface, selecting one of the plurality of graphicelements and outputting accessibility information associated with theselected graphic element.

In one example, the graphic visualization is generated by stepscomprising: retrieving a data set containing data to be visuallydisplayed in the graphic visualization; generating structured documentcode that when interpreted by a processor executing document viewersoftware results in the display of the graphic visualization withgraphic elements on the visual display; and associating accessibilityinformation with each graphic element.

In another example, the graphic elements comprise a title, a pluralityof data points positioned on a Cartesian plane based on their pair ofnumerical coordinates, first and second vertical boundaries definingleft and right boundaries, respectively, of the displayed portion of theCartesian plane, a horizontal boundary defining the bottom boundary ofthe displayed portion of the Cartesian plane, labels for the firstvertical boundary and the horizontal boundary, and a plurality ofincrement indicators on each of the first vertical boundary and thehorizontal boundary.

In another example, the structured document code associatesaccessibility information with each of the title, the plurality of datapoints, the first and second vertical boundaries, the horizontalboundary, the labels, and the plurality of increment indicators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Depicted in FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system 100 forimplementing digital data visualizations that support tactile andauditory interaction.

Depicted in FIG. 2 is an example wherein the visual display 102 of thesystem 100 displays an example graphic visualization 110 having aplurality of graphic elements.

Depicted in FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for an example process forproviding accessibility information.

Depicted in FIG. 4 is a standard view of an example graphicvisualization that is annotated with accessibility information for useby a visually impaired user.

Depicted in FIG. 5 is an example 3 by 3 view of a scatter plot.

Depicted in FIG. 6 is an example vertical view of a scatter plot.

Depicted in FIG. 7 is an example horizontal view of a scatter plot.

Depicted in FIG. 8 is an example 9 by 9 view of a scatter plot.

Depicted in FIG. 9, is a markup p of the example standard view of FIG. 4that illustrates that the data points are annotated with an HTML areatag.

Depicted in FIG. 10, is a markup of the standard view that illustratesthe annotation of the Cartesian plane of FIG. 4 with rumble strips,i.e., increment indicators.

Depicted in FIG. 11, is an example annotation 230 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for the Title depicted in theexample scatter plot of FIG. 4.

Depicted in FIG. 12, is an example annotation 232 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for an increment indicator on theY-axis depicted in the example scatter plot of FIG. 4.

Depicted in FIG. 13, is an example annotation 234 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for an increment indicator on thex-axis depicted in the example scatter plot of FIG. 4.

Depicted in FIG. 14, an example annotation 236 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a data point in the examplescatter plot of the FIG. 4 standard view.

Depicted in FIG. 15, is an example annotation 238 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a grid in the 3 by 3 view ofFIG. 5.

Depicted in FIG. 16, is an example annotation 240 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a grid in the 9 by 9 view ofFIG. 8.

Depicted in FIG. 17, is an example annotation 242 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a slice in the horizontal viewof FIG. 7.

Depicted in FIG. 18, is an example annotation 244 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a slice in the vertical view ofFIG. 6.

Depicted in FIG. 19 is standard view of an example line graph.

Depicted in FIG. 20 is a vertical view of an example line graph.

Depicted in FIG. 21, is a markup of the example standard view of FIG. 19that illustrates that the data points are annotated with an HTML areatag 246.

Depicted in FIG. 22 is an example annotation 250 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a connector in the standardview of FIG. 19.

Depicted in FIG. 23 is an example annotation 252 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a data point in the standardview of FIG. 19

Depicted in FIG. 24 is an example annotation 254 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a vertical slice of the linegraph of FIG. 20.

Depicted in FIG. 25 are exemplary steps that may be performed in anexample process that creates an annotated graphic visualization.

Depicted in FIGS. 26 and 27 are example steps that illustrate the typeof data that may be gathered for generating an annotated graphicvisualization.

Depicted in FIG. 28 are example steps that may be performed in anexample process that creates a scatter plot.

Depicted in FIG. 29 are example steps that may be performed to annotatea graphic visualization.

Depicted in FIG. 30 are example steps that may be performed to annotatea standard view of the graphic visualization.

Depicted in FIG. 31 are example steps that may be performed to annotatedata points for a scatter plot.

Depicted in FIG. 32 are example steps that may be performed to generateand annotate data point connectors.

Depicted in FIG. 33 is a flow diagram that identifies example views thatmay be generated and annotated.

FIGS. 34A, 34B and 35 depict examples of systems that be used togenerate annotated graphic visualizations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Depicted in FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system 100 forimplementing digital data visualizations that support tactile andauditory interaction. The example system 100 includes a visual display102 having a touch-sensitive surface, one or more speakers 104, one ormore processors 106, and a data store 108. The visual display 102 isused to display a graphic visualization 110 such as a pie chart, barchart, scatter graph, line graph, or other type of graphic visualizationthat visually displays data. The visual display 102 also includes atouch screen surface that allows a user to input commands by touching ormaking various gestures such as a finger swipe on various locations onthe touch screen display surface.

The speaker 104 of the example system 100 is used to output verbalaccessibility information regarding the data displayed m the graphicvisualization. The accessibility information may be provided via averbal sound that conveys information about the graphic display. Theverbal accessibility information conveys information regarding thegraphic visualization that a visually impaired user may not otherwise beable to obtain from viewing the graphic visualization. The verbalaccessibility information in the example system is provided in responseto a particular gesture being made on the touch screen display surface.The verbal accessibility information for a graphic visualization naycontain descriptive information regarding the graphic visualizationand/or descriptive information regarding data points displayed in thegraphic visualization.

Descriptive information regarding the graphic visualization may includeinformation such as the title of the graphic visualization, the type ofgraphic visualization displayed (e.g., a scatter plot or line graph),the type of view selected and displayed, instructions on how to selectother views, and information regarding the axis for he displayed data,among other information. The axis information may include the label foran axis, the unit of measure for the axis, and the range of values foran axis segment.

Descriptive information regarding data points may include the name of adata point, the coordinate value of a data point, categoricalinformation regarding a data point, summary information regarding datapoints within a selected region in the graphical visualization, andlocation of the selected region within the graphical visualization,among other information.

The one or more processors 106 are used to generate and send a graphicvisualization to the visual display, to receive commands from the touchscreen surface, and to interpret and send verbal accessibilityinformation to the speaker in response to gestures made on the touchscreen surface. In the example system 100, the processor(s) executes aweb browser application to interpret structured document code such asHTML code that has been generated to provide the graphic visualizationand a textual form of the verbal accessibility information. In theexample system 100, the processor(s) also execute a text-to-voiceapplication to convert the textual form of the verbal accessibilityinformation contained in the structured document code to a voice signalthat can be performed through the speakers 104.

The data store 108 may be used to store the graphic visualization suchas structured document code that has been generated to provide thegraphic visualization and verbal accessibility information. The datastore 108 may also be used to store data sets containing data to bedisplayed in a graphic visualization and provided by verbalaccessibility information. Additionally, the data store 108 may be usedto store software code or instructions for use in generating structureddocument code to provide graphic visualizations and verbal accessibilityinformation.

Depicted in FIG. 2 is an example wherein the visual display 102 of thesystem 100 displays an example graphic visualization 110 having aplurality of graphic elements. The graphic elements include a title 111for the graphic visualization and a plurality of data points 113. Inthis example, the plurality of data points are positioned on a Cartesianplane based on their pair of numerical coordinates. Other types ofgraphic visualizations, however, may be displayed by the example system100 such as pie charts, bar charts, or other graphic visualizationstypes. The graphic elements in this example, also include first andsecond vertical boundaries 115, 117, which define left and rightboundaries, respectively, of the displayed portion of the Cartesianplane, a horizontal boundary 119 defining the bottom boundary of thedisplayed portion of the Cartesian plane, labels 121, 123 for the firstvertical boundary and the horizontal boundary, respectively, and aplurality of increment indicators 125, 127 on each of the first verticalboundary and the horizontal boundary, respectively. In this example, thevertical increment indicators 125 indicate the range of values on thevertical axis Similarly, the horizontal increment indicators 127indicate the range of values on the horizontal axis. Each of the graphicelements in this example can have accessibility information associatedwith it.

Depicted in FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for an example process forproviding accessibility information. At step 200, an annotated graphicis created. This step may involve retrieving a data set, generating astructure document containing a graphic visualization, and annotatingthe graphic visualization with accessibility information associated witha number of the graphic elements in the graphic visualization. At step202, the annotated graphic is displayed. This step may involve using webbrowser software to display the graphic visualization. Finally, at step204, accessibility information from the annotated graphic is provided inresponse to user interaction. The user interaction may comprise a userswiping one or more fingers across a touch screen interface. In responseto the user interaction, in this example, a verbal sound is providedthat recites the accessibility information.

The accessibility information may include the coordinate value of a datapoint, and categorical information in addition to the X and Ycoordinates. For example, the voice-over may state, “Saturn SL2,Weight=2500 lbs, Engine Size=2 liters.” The category is the automobiletype (Saturn SL2 in this example) and size and weight are thecoordinates.

Depicted in FIG. 4 is a standard view of an example graphicvisualization that is annotated with accessibility information for useby a visually impaired user. In the example system, annotated graphiccreation accomplished via a single macro that contains instructions forconverting a data set into an annotated graphic visualization such as anaccessible scatter plot. The steps specified by the macro can beperformed either on the device 100 that provides the accessibilityinformation in response to user interaction or before the data to bedisplayed is loaded onto the device 100.

In this example, a macro was used that was activated using a commandsuch as the following: %scatterPlot(sample, Name, GNI, AdultLiteracyPCT,dollars, percent, 0, 30000, 10000, 0.1, 1, 0.1, Does Literacy AffectNational Income?, 1, 3, Gross National Income per Person, LiteracyRate); wherein:

-   -   Sample: the name of the data set    -   Name: some kind of identifier for each row(e.g., which country)    -   GM: the variable to be plotted on the y-axis    -   AdultLitercyPCT: the variable to be plotted on the x-axis    -   Dollars: The units of measure for the y-axis    -   percent: The units of measure for the x-axis (in this case, the        units will be    -   0: the lower bound of the y-axis    -   30000: the upper bound of the y-axis    -   10000: The increment for the minor axis on the y-axis    -   0.1: The lower bound of the x-axis    -   1: The upper bound of the x-axis    -   0.1: The increment for the minor axis on the x-axis    -   Does Literacy Affect National Income?: The graph title    -   1: The size of the visual dots on the graph.    -   3: The size of the touch targets concentric to the visual dots        on the graph.    -   Gross National Income per Person: The label for the y-axis    -   Literacy Rate: The label for the x-axis

Listed in the table below is some sample data, from a data set called“sample” from which the example annotated graphic visualization wasgenerated:

Name AdultLiteracyPCT GNI AFGHANISTAN . . ALBANIA .96 5070 ALGERIA .966260 ANDORRA .88 . ANGOLA .66 2030 ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA . 10360  ZIMBABWE.9  2180 GNI = Gross National Income (per capita, as of 2004) Thecountries Afghanistan, Andorra, and Antigua and Barbuda each have amissing value. They will, therefore, not be included in the graph. Theformat for AdultLitearcyPCT is PERCENTN9.2.

The example macro will create five “views” of the scatter plot. Eachview allows a visually impaired user to explore the scatter plot in adifferent way. The five views comprise a standard view (FIG. 4), a 3 by3 view (FIG. 5), a vertical view (FIG. 6), a horizontal view (FIG. 7),and a 9 by 9 view (FIG. 8).

The five views in this example are identical in certain ways. First, allviews show the same image of the scatter plot. The image is positionedin the same exact spot on the screen in each view. This allows a blinduser to change views and get different information about a particulararea of the Cartesian plane. Second, the title, x axis, y axis, and datapoints are located at the same spot on the screen in each view. Third,all views are annotated with an HTML client side image map. Fourth, thetitle of each view is annotated with an HTML area tag that contains adescription of the view. The description describes the view as well ashow the user interacts with it. The description is read by thetext-to-voice application screen reader when the user touches anappropriate area of the screen. Finally, the Cartesian plane is boundedon the left, right and bottom with contiguous HTML area tags. These tagsserve as “rumble strips” that serve a function similar to the functionserved by nimble strips on the side of a highway, i.e., they alert theuser when they move their finger outside of the Cartesian plane. Whenthe user touches one of the rumble strips, the text-to-voice applicationwill recite the range of x or y coordinate values in that rumble strip.This feature allows a blind user to discover the unit of measure foreach axis and explore the minimum and maximum value range on each axis.

The standard view provides access to the data points within theCartesian plane. In this example, each data point is annotated with anHTML area tag. When the user touches a data point, the text-to-voiceapplication recites the name of the data point followed by the x and ycoordinate value for that data point.

Depicted in FIG. 5 is an example 3 by 3 view of the scatter plot. Thisexample 3 by 3 view differs from other views in that the Cartesian planeis divided into a 3-by-3 matrix of grids. Each of the 9 sectors in the3-by-3 matrix of grids is assigned an HTML area tag. When a user touchesan area of the screen containing a sector, the text-to-voice applicationrecites information describing the location of the sector and the numberof data points in that sector. This view allows a blind user to quicklyexplore how data points are distributed within the Cartesian plane.

Depicted in FIG. 6 is an example vertical view of the scatter plot. Thisexample vertical view differs from other views in that the Cartesianplane is divided into nine vertical slices of identical size. Each sliceis assigned an HTML area tag. When a user touches an area of the screencontaining a slice, the text-to-voice application recites informationdescribing the location of the slice and the number of data points inthat slice. This view allows a blind user to quickly explore how datapoints are distributed from left to right within the Cartesian plane.

Depicted in FIG. 7 is an example horizontal view of the scatter plot.This example horizontal view differs from other views in that theCartesian plane is divided into nine horizontal slices of identicalsize. Each slice is assigned an HTML area tag. When a user touches anarea of the screen containing a slice, the text-to-voice applicationrecites information describing the location of the slice and the numberof data points in that slice. This view allows a blind user to quicklyexplore how data points are distributed from bottom to top within theCartesian plane.

Depicted in FIG. 8 is an example 9 by 9 view of the scatter plot. Thisexample 9 by 9 view differs from other views in that the Cartesian planeis divided into a 9-by-9 matrix of grids. Each of the 81 sectors isassigned an HTML area tag. When a user touches an area of the screencontaining a sector, the text-to-voice application recites informationdescribing the location of the sector and the number of data points inthat sector. This view allows a blind user to explore how data pointsare distributed within the Cartesian plane at a more granular level.

Depicted in FIG. 9, is a markup of the example standard view of FIG. 4that illustrates that the data points are annotated with an HTML areatag. Each data point annotation in this example is indicated by a circlesurrounding the data point.

Depicted in FIG. 10, is a markup of the standard vie that illustratesthe annotation of the Cartesian plane of FIG. 4 with rumble strips,i.e., increment indicators. Each increment indicator annotation isoutlined in FIG. 10.

Depicted in FIG. 11, is an example annotation 230 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for he Title depicted in theexample scatter plot of FIG. 4. The macro in this example generatesaccessibility information for the Title using the following template:“Title. This is a standard view of a scatter plot that contains 125points. Click on the link below scatter plot to choose other views,inactive”. Title is input by the user when initiating the graphicvisualization generation. 125 is calculated by the macro based on thedata set identified by the user. The example HTML code generated by themacro for annotating the example Title graphic element is: <areashape=“RECT” title=Does Literacy Affect National Income? This is astandard view of a scatter plot that contains 125 points. Click on linksbelow scatter plot to choose other views, inactive’ tabIndex=1id=‘pagetitle’ href coords=“74,0,773,36”>. When the annotation isactivated in an accessibility device, the accessibility informationverbally recited is “Does Literacy Affect National Income? This is astandard view of a scatter plot that contains 125 points. Click on linksbelow scatter plot to choose other views.”

Depicted in FIG. 12, is an example annotation 232 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for an increment indicator on theY-axis depicted in the example scatter plot of FIG. 4. The macro in thisexample generates accessibility information for the increment indicatorusing the following template: “y=0 dollars Gross National Income perPerson, inactive”. 0 is the lower bound of the HTML block, which iscalculated based on axis range information (lower bound, upper bound,and increment) provided by the user when initiating the graphicvisualization generation. Dollars is the units of measure provided bythe user. Gross National Income per Person is the label of the y-axis,which is provided by the user. The example HTML code generated by themacro for annotating the example increment indicator graphic element is:<area shape=“RECT” title=‘y=0 dollars Gross National Income per Person,inactive’ tabIndex=0 href coords=“5,372,74,537”>. When the annotation isactivated in an accessibility device, the accessibility informationverbally recited is “0 dollars Gross National Income per Person,inactive”

Depicted in FIG. 13, is an example annotation 234 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for an increment indicator on thex-axis depicted in the example scatter plot of FIG. 4. The macro in thisexample generates accessibility information for the increment indicatorusing the following template: “x=20.00% percent Literacy Rate,inactive”. 20.00% is calculated based on axis range information (lowerbound, upper bound, and increment) provided by the user when initiatingthe graphic visualization generation. The value is “20.00%” instead of“0.2” because the example macro retrieves the format of the variable (inthis case, of AdultLiteracyPCT) and uses the format when composing theannotation. Percent is the units of measure provided by the user.Literacy Rate is the x-axis label, which is provided by the user. Theexample HTML code generated by the macro for annotating the exampleincrement indicator graphic element is: <area shape=“RECT”title=‘x=20.00% percent Literacy Rate, inactive’ tabIndex=0 hrefcoords=“155,543,232,594”>. When the annotation is activated in anaccessibility device, the accessibility information verbally recited is“20 percent Literacy Rate, inactive”

Depicted in FIG. 14, an example annotation 236 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a data point in the examplescatter plot of the FIG. 4 standard view. The macro in this examplegenerates accessibility information for the data point using thefollowing template: “ZIMBABWE, 90.00% percent Literacy Rate, 2180dollars Gross National Income per person”. Zimbabwe is derived from thename column (which is specified by the user) from the data set (which isspecified by the user). 90.00% is the x-axis coordinate value for thedata point. Percent is the user-defined unit of measure for the x-axis.Literacy Rate is the user-defined label for the x-axis. 2180 is they-axis coordinate value for the data point. Dollars is the user-definedunit of measure for the y-axis. Gross National Income per Person is theuser-defined label for the y-axis. The example HTML code generated bythe macro for annotating the example data point graphic element is:<area shape=“POLY” href=‘standard_view11.htm’ title=‘ZIMBABWE, 90.00%percent Literacy Rate, 2180 dollars Gross National Income per Person,inactive’coords=“728,501,728,495,726,489,723,483,720,478,715,474,710,470,704,467,698,466,692,465,686,466,680,467,674,470,669,474,665,478,661,483,658,489,657,495,656,501,657,508,659,514,661,519,665,524,669,529,674,532,680,535,686,537,693,537,699,536,705,535,710,532,716,528,720,524,724,519,726,513,728,507,728,501”>. When the annotation isactivated in an accessibility device, the accessibility informationverbally recited is “Zimbabwe, 90 point 0 percent Literacy Rate, 2180dollars Gross National Income per Person, inactive”

Depicted in FIG. 15, is an example annotation 238 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a grid in the 3 by 3 view ofFIG. 5. The macro in this example generates accessibility informationfor the grid using the following template: “7 data points in southwestern sector, click here to switch to 9 by 9 view.” 7 is calculated,South Western is assigned by the macro based on location (lower left).The example HTML code generated by the macro for annotating the examplegrid graphic element is: <area shape=“RECT” title=‘7 data points insouth western sector, click here to switch to 9 by 9 view’href=‘fine_view11.htm’ coords=“74,376,305,543”>. When the annotation isactivated in an accessibility device, the accessibility informationverbally recited is “7 data points in south western sector, click hereto switch to 9 by 9 view”

Depicted in FIG. 16, is an example annotation 240 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a grid in the 9 by 9 view ofFIG. 8. The macro in this example generates accessibility informationfor the grid using the following template: “2 data points in sector 5 2,click here to switch to standard view.” 2 is calculated. 5 and 2 areassigned by the macro based on location (5 over, 2 up, from the origin).The example HTML code generated by the macro for annotating the examplegrid graphic element is: <area shape=“RECT” title=‘2 data points insector 5 2, click here to switch to standard view’href=‘standard_view11.htm’ coords=“382,432,458,487”>. When theannotation is activated in an accessibility device, the accessibilityinformation verbally recited is “2 data points in sector 5 2, click hereto switch to standard view”

Depicted in FIG. 17, is an example annotation 242 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a slice in the horizontal viewof FIG. 7. The macro in this example generates accessibility informationfor the slice using the following template: “27 data points in slice 2,click here to switch to 9 by 9 view”. 27 is calculated. 2 is assigned bythe macro based on location (2 up from the origin). The example HTMLcode generated by the macro for annotating the example slice graphicelement is: <area shape=“RECT” title=‘2 data points in slice 2, clickhere to switch to 9 by 9 view’ href=‘fine_view11.htm’coords=“151,36,228,543”>. When the annotation is activated in anaccessibility device, the accessibility information verbally recited is“2 data points in slice 2, click here to switch to 9 by 9 view”

Depicted in FIG. 18, is an example annotation 244 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a slice in the vertical view ofFIG. 6. The macro in this example generates accessibility informationfor the slice using the following template: “3 data points in slice 1,click here to switch to 9 by 9 view.” 3 is calculated. 1 is assigned bythe macro based on location (1 over from the origin). The example HTMLcode generated by the macro for annotating the example slice graphicelement is: <area shape=“RECT” title=‘3 data points in slice 1, clickhere to switch to 9 by 9 view’ href=‘fine_view11.htm’coords=“74,36,151,543”>. When the annotation is activated in anaccessibility device, the accessibility information verbally recited is“3 data points in slice 1, click here to switch to 9 by 9 view”

Depicted in FIG. 19 is a standard view of another example graphicvisualization that is annotated with accessibility information for useby a visually impaired user. In this example, a macro was activated togenerate the line graph depicted in the figure using a command such asthe following: % line(nomGDP, year, gdp, 9000, 15000, 1000, 1, GrossDomestic Product of the United States, billion dollars, Gross DomesticProduct, Year), wherein:

-   -   nomGDP: the name of the data set    -   year: The x-axis variable    -   gdp: The response variable    -   The category variable. In this case, there is none, so it is        left blank.    -   9000 The lower bound of the y-axis    -   15000 The upper bound of the y-axis    -   1000 The increment of the minor axis along the y-axis.    -   1 The increment of the minor axis along the x-axis    -   Gross Domestic Product of the United States: the graph title    -   Billion dollars: The units of measure for the response variable    -   Gross Domestic Product: The label for the y-axis    -   Year: The label for the x-axis

Listed in the table below is some sample data, from a data set called“nomgdp” from which the example annotated graphic visualization isgenerated:

Year GDP 2000 9951.5 2001 10286.2 2002 10642.3 2003 11142.2 2004 11853.32005 12623.0 2006 13377.2 2007 14028.7 2008 14291.5 2009 13939.0 201014000.0 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is nominal.

The example macro will create two “views” of the line graph. Each viewallows a visually impaired user to explore the line plot in a differentway. Depicted in FIG. 19 is standard view of an example line graph.Depicted in FIG. 20 is a vertical view of an example line graph.

Depicted in FIG. 21, is a markup of the example standard view of FIG. 19that illustrates that the data points are annotated with all HTML areatag 246. Each data point annotation in this example is indicated by acircle surrounding the data point. Also illustrated in this figure areHTML area tags 248 for connectors between data points. The connectorsindicate change between data points.

Although not shown, the example standard view also includes incrementindicators or rumble strips. The increment indicators may be generatedin the same manner as the increment indicators for the scatter plotexample.

Depicted in FIG. 22 is an example annotation 250 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a connector in the standardview of FIG. 19. The macro in this example generates accessibilityinformation for the connector using the following template:“[increased/decreased/stayed steady] by 754.2 billion dollars GrossDomestic Product between 2005 and 2006”. 754.2 is calculated by themacro, as well as whether the change is positive, negative, ornonexistent. Billion Dollars and Gross Domestic Product are provided bythe user. 2005 and 2006 are assigned by the macro. The example HTML codegenerated by the macro for annotating the example connector graphicelement is: <area shape=“POLY” title=‘increased by 754.2 billion dollarsGross Domestic Product between 2005 and 2006, inactive’ tabIndex=13 hrefcoords=“427,253,497,193,497,173,427,233,427,253>. When the annotation isactivated in an accessibility device, the accessibility informationverbally recited is “increased by 754.2 billion dollars Gross DomesticProduct between 2006 and 2006, inactive.”

Depicted in FIG. 23 is an example annotation 252 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a data point in the standardview of FIG. 19. The macro in this example generates accessibilityinformation for the data point using the following template: “2000,9951.5 billion dollars Gross Domestic Product, inactive”. 2000 and9951.5 are the particular x-value and y-value, respectively, for thispoint. Billion Dollars and Gross Domestic Product are provided by theuser. When the annotation is activated in an accessibility device, theaccessibility information verbally recited is “2000, 9951.5 billiondollars Gross Domestic Product, inactive.”

Depicted in FIG. 24 is an example annotation 254 containing the text ofthe verbal accessibility information for a vertical slice of the linegraph of FIG. 20. The macro in this example generates accessibilityinformation for the slice using the following template: “2003, 11142.2billion dollars, inactive”. 2003 and 11142.2 are the x-value and y-valuerespectively, for the data point in the selected slice. Billion Dollarsis provided by the user. When the annotation is activated in anaccessibility device, the accessibility information verbally recited is“2003, 11142,2 billion dollars, inactive.”

Depicted in FIG. 25 are exemplary steps that may be performed in anexample process that creates an annotated graphic visualization. At step300, data to be displayed is obtained. At step 302, a graphicvisualization is created. At step 304, the graphic visualization isannotated. Although this example may suggest a particular order, one ormore of these steps may be performed in a different order or inparallel.

Depicted in FIGS. 26 and 27 are example steps that illustrate the typeof data that may be gathered for generating an annotated graphicvisualization. At step 306 the type of graph desired is identified, Atstep 308, the data set is identified. At step 310 graphic parameters areidentified. Although this example may suggest a particular order, one ormore of these steps may be performed in a different order or inparallel.

Depicted in FIG. 28 are example steps that may be performed in anexample process that creates a scatter plot, At step 312, a Cartesianplane is generated. At step 314, data is mapped onto the Cartesianplane. At step 316, a title and labels are added. Although this examplemay suggest a particular order, one or more of these steps may beperformed in a different order or in parallel.

Depicted in FIGS. 29 -33 are example steps that may be performed toannotate a graphic. At step 318, a standard view is annotated. At step320, additional views are generated and annotated. Although theseexamples may suggest a particular order for steps, one or more of thesesteps may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

Depicted in FIG. 30 are example steps that may be performed to annotatea standard view of the graphic visualization. At step 322, the title andlabels are annotated with HTML area tags. At step 324, rumble strips foreach axis are generated. These rumble strips may comprise contiguousHTML are tags that bound the left, right, and bottom on the graphic. Atstep 326, the data points are annotated with HTML area tags.

Depicted in FIG. 31 are example steps that may be performed to annotatedata points for a scatter plot. At step 328, the title for the datapoint is provided. At step 330, a shape and color is assigned to thedata point annotation. In the illustrated example, a circular shape andthe color white is assigned to each data point annotation. A particularcolor may be assigned to prevent the annotation from being visible in aparticular view. At step 332, the set of coordinates for the data pointis identified.

Depicted in FIG. 32 are example steps that may be performed to generateand annotate data point connectors. At step 336, the title for the datapoint connector is provided. At step 338, a shape and color is assignedto the data point notation. In the illustrated example, a rectangularshape and the color black is assigned to each data point annotation. Atstep 340, the set of coordinates for the shape is identified.

Depicted in FIG. 33 is a flow diagram that identifies example views thatmay be generated and annotated. At step 342 multiple views are generatedand annotated. These views may include a standard view and one or moreadditional views such as a 3 by 3 view, vertical view, horizontal view,9 by 9 view, or other view.

FIGS. 34A and 34B depict examples of systems that may be used togenerate annotated graphic visualizations. For example, FIG. 34A depictsan example of a system 800 that includes a standalone computerarchitecture where a processing system 802 (e.g., one or more computerprocessors) includes a graphic visualization annotation engine 804 beingexecuted on it. The processing system 802 has access to acomputer-readable memory 806 in addition to one or more data stores 808.The one or more data stores 808 may include macros 812 containinginstructions for annotating graphic visualizations.

FIG. 34B depicts a system 820 that includes a client serverarchitecture. One or more user PCs 822 access one or more servers 824running a graphic visualization annotation engine 826 on a processingsystem 827 via one or more networks 828. The one or more servers 824 mayaccess a computer readable memory 830 as well as one or more data stores832. The one or more data stores 832 may contain macros 836 containinginstructions for annotating graphic visualizations.

FIG. 35 shows a block diagram of an example of hardware for a standalonecomputer architecture 850, such as the architecture depicted in FIG. 34Athat may be used to contain and/or implement the program instructions ofsystem embodiments of the present invention. A bus 852 may connect theother illustrated components of the hardware. A processing system 854labeled CPU (central processing unit) (e.g., one or more computerprocessors), may perform calculations and logic operations required toexecute a program. A processor-readable storage medium, such as readonly memory (ROM) 856 and random access memory (RAM) 858, may be incommunication with the processing system 854 and may contain one or moreprogramming instructions for performing an index join operation.Optionally, program instructions may be stored on a computer readablestorage medium such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, recordable memorydevice, flash memory, or other physical storage medium. Computerinstructions may also be communicated via a communications signal, or amodulated carrier wave.

A disk controller 860 interfaces one or more optional disk drives to thesystem bus 852. These disk drives may be external or internal floppydisk drives such as 862, external or internal CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW or DVDdrives such as 864, or external or internal hard drives 866. Asindicated previously, these various disk drives and disk controllers areoptional devices.

Each of the element managers, real-time data buffer, conveyors, fileinput processor, database index shared access memory loader, referencedata buffer and data managers may include a software application storedin one or more of the disk drives connected to the disk controller 860,the ROM 856 and/or the RAM 858. Preferably, the processor 854 may accesseach component as required.

A display interface 868 may permit information from the bus 852 to bedisplayed on a display 870 in audio, graphic, or alphanumeric format.Communication with external devices may optionally occur using variouscommunication ports 872,

In addition to the standard computer-type components, the hardware mayalso include data input devices, such as a keyboard 873, or other inputdevice 874, such as a microphone, remote control, pointer, mouse and/orjoystick.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable a person skilled in the artto make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention mayinclude other examples. Additionally, the methods and systems describedherein may be implemented on many different types of processing devicesby program code comprising program instructions that are executable bythe device processing subsystem. The software program instructions mayinclude source code, object code, machine code, or any other stored datathat is operable to cause a processing system to perform the methods andoperations described herein. Other implementations may also he used,however, such as firmware or even appropriately designed hardwareconfigured to carry out the methods and systems described herein.

The systems' and methods' data (e.g., associations, mappings, datainput, data output, intermediate data results, final data results, etc.)may be stored and implemented in one or more different types ofcomputer-implemented data stores, such as different types of storagedevices and programming constructs (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, flatfiles, databases, programming data structures, programming variables,IF-THEN (or similar type) statement constructs, etc.). It is noted thatdata structures describe formats for use in organizing and storing datain databases, programs, memory, or other computer-readable media for useby a computer program.

The computer components, software modules, functions, data stores anddata structures described herein may he connected directly or indirectlyto each other in order to allow the flow of data needed for theiroperations. It is also noted that a module or processor includes but isnot limited to a unit of code that performs a software operation, andcan be implemented for example as a subroutine unit of code, or as asoftware function unit of code, or as an object (as in anobject-oriented paradigm), or as an applet, or in a computer scriptlanguage, or as another type of computer code. The software componentsand/or functionality may be located on a single computer or distributedacross multiple computers depending upon the situation at hand.

It should be understood that as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the”includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims thatfollow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Finally, as used in the description hereinand throughout the claims that follow, the meanings of “and” and “or”include both the conjunctive and disjunctive and may be usedinterchangeably unless the context expressly dictates otherwise; thephrase “exclusive or” may be used to indicate situation where only thedisjunctive meaning may apply.

It is claimed:
 1. A method, comprising: at an accessible electronicdevice having a visual display with a touch-sensitive surface:displaying on the visual display a graphic visualization having aplurality of graphic elements, theraphic visualization having beengenerated by steps comprising: retrieving a data set containing data tobe visually displayed in the graphic visualization; generatingstructured document code that when interpreted by a processor executingdocument viewer software results in the display of the graphicvisualization with graphic elements on the visual display; wherein thegraphic elements comprise a title, a plurality of data points positionedon a Cartesian plane based on their pair of numerical coordinates, firstand second vertical boundaries defining left and right boundaries,respectively, of the displayed portion of the Cartesian plane, ahorizontal boundary defining the bottom boundary of the displayedportion of the Cartesian plane, labels for the first vertical boundaryand the horizontal boundary, and a plurality of increment indicators oneach of the first vertical boundary and the horizontal boundary; andgenerating additional structured document code that associatesaccessibility information with each of the title, the plurality of datapoints, the first and second vertical boundaries, the horizontalboundary, the labels, and the plurality of increment indicators; and inresponse to detecting a navigation gesture by a finger on thetouch-sensitive surface, selecting one of the plurality of graphicelements and outputting the accessibility information associated withsaid selected graphic element.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thestructured document is a HTML document.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the document viewer software is a web browser.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first vertical boundary is a first coordinate axisand the horizontal boundary is a second coordinate axis.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the structured document code that associatesaccessibility information with the graphic elements when interpreted bya processor executing document viewer software causes the accessibilityinformation to be outputted as an verbal sound.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein the accessibility information for the title is outputted as averbal sound that recites the title of the graphic visualization andinformation regarding available views.
 7. The method of claim 5, whereinthe accessibility information for a data point is outputted as a verbalsound that recites the numerical coordinates of the data point.
 8. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the accessibility information for a datapoint is outputted as a verbal sound that recites categoricalinformation regarding the data point.
 8. The method of claim 5, whereinhe accessibility information for the first and second verticalboundaries and the horizontal boundary is outputted as a verbal soundthat recites a numerical value.
 9. The method of claim 5, wherein theaccessibility information for the labels is outputted as a verbal soundthat recites the title of the label.
 10. The method of claim 5, whereinthe accessibility information for an increment indicator is outputted asa verbal sound that recites a numerical value.
 11. The method of claim1, wherein the steps for generating the graphic visualization furthercomprises generating structured document code for one or more additionalviews of the graphic visualization by: subdividing the displayed portionof the Cartesian plane into multiple regions; determining the number ofdata points thin each of the multiple regions; generating structureddocument code that defines each region as a graphic object andassociates accessibility information to the graphic object defined ineach region, wherein the accessibility information for each of theregions includes a geographic identifier for the region and the numberof data points within the region.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereineach region is a horizontal slice of the displayed portion of theCartesian plane.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein each region is avertical slice of the displayed portion of the Cartesian plane.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the displayed portion of the Cartesian planeis subdivided into a 3 by 3 grid and each region is one grid in the 3 by3 grid.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the displayed portion of theCartesian plane is subdivided into a 9 by 9 grid and each region is onegrid in the 9 by 9 grid.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprisingselecting one of the one or more additional views of the graphicvisualization and outputting a verbal sound that recites the number ofdata points in a selected region.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein thestep of generating structured document code that associatesaccessibility information with the plurality of data points comprises:defining an area surrounding each data point as a graphic object;generating structured document code that defines each data point graphicobject and associates accessibility information to the data pointgraphic objects, wherein the accessibility information for the datapoint graphic objects includes the coordinates for the data point. 18.The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of generating structureddocument code that associates accessibility information with the firstand second vertical boundaries and the horizontal boundary comprises:generating structured document code that defines the first and secondvertical boundaries and horizontal boundary as graphic objects andassociates accessibility information to the graphic objects, wherein theaccessibility information includes a verbal indication that a boundaryhas been reached.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofgenerating structured document code that associates accessibilityinformation with the plurality of increment indicators comprises:generating structured document code that defines the plurality ofincrement indicators as graphic objects and associates accessibilityinformation to the plurality of increment indicator graphic objects,wherein the accessibility information includes a verbal indication ofthe numerical value of the increment indicator graphic object.
 20. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of generating structured documentcode that associates accessibility information with the title and thelabels comprises: generating structured document code that defines thetitle and the labels as graphic objects and associates accessibilityinformation to the graphic objects, wherein the accessibilityinformation includes a verbal indication of the name of the graphicobject.
 21. A method, comprising: at an accessible electronic devicehaving a visual display with a touch-sensitive surface: displaying onthe visual display a graphic visualization having a plurality of graphicelements, wherein the graphic elements are selected from a setcomprising a title, a plurality of data points positioned on a Cartesianplane based on numerical coordinates, a vertical boundary of thedisplayed portion of the Cartesian plane, a horizontal boundary defininga bottom boundary of the displayed portion of the Cartesian plane,labels for the vertical boundary and the horizontal boundary, and aplurality of increment indicators on each of the vertical boundary andthe horizontal boundary; and in response to detecting a gesture by afinger on the touch-sensitive surface, selecting one of the plurality ofgraphic elements and outputting accessibility information associatedwith the selected graphic element.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe selected graphic element is an increment indicator and theaccessibility information associated with the selected graphic elementcomprises an axis label and range of values.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the selected graphic element is a data point and theaccessibility information associated with the selected graphic elementcomprises the coordinates of the data point.
 24. The method of claim 21,wherein the graphic visualization is subdivided into multiple regions,the selected graphic element is one of the regions, and theaccessibility information associated with the selected graphic elementcomprises the number of data points within the selected region.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the selected region is a horizontal slice ofthe displayed portion of the graphic visualization.
 26. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the selected region is a vertical slice of thedisplayed portion of the graphic visualization.
 27. The method of claim24, wherein the selected region is a grid in a matrix of grids in thedisplayed portion of the graphic visualization.
 28. The method of claim27, wherein the matrix of grids is a 3 by 3 or 9 by 9 matrix of grids.29. The method of claim 21, wherein the graphic visualization comprisesa line graph, at least one graphic element comprises a connector, andthe accessibility information associated with the at least one graphicelement comprises a value indicating a degree of change from one datapoint to another.
 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the displayingstep comprises interpreting structured document code containinginstructions for generating graphic elements and wherein the outputtingstep comprises interpreting structured document code containinginstructions that associate accessibility information with the graphicelements.
 31. A method of generating an annotated graphic visualizationthat provides accessibility information, comprising: retrieving a dataset containing data to be visually displayed in a graphic visualizationcomprising a plurality of graphic elements; generating computer codethat when interpreted by a processor results in the display of thegraphic visualization on a visual display, wherein the graphic elementsare selected from a set comprising a title, a plurality of data pointspositioned on a Cartesian plane based on numerical coordinates, avertical boundary of the displayed portion of the Cartesian plane, ahorizontal boundary defining a bottom boundary of the displayed portionof the Cartesian plane, labels for the vertical boundary and thehorizontal boundary, and a plurality of increment indicators on each ofthe vertical boundary and the horizontal boundary; and generatingadditional computer code that associates accessibility information withthe graphic elements, wherein an accessible electronic device having avisual display with a touch-sensitive surface and that is commanded tointerpret the computer code and the additional computer code would beconfigured to select one of the plurality of graphic elements and outputthe accessibility information associated with said selected graphicelement in response to detecting a navigation gesture by a finger on thetouch-sensitive surface of the visual display.
 32. The method of claim31, wherein the plurality of graphic elements comprises an incrementindicator and the accessibility information associated with theincrement indicator comprises an axis label and range of values.
 33. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the plurality of graphic elements comprisesa data point and the accessibility information associated with the datapoint comprises the coordinates of the data point.
 34. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the graphic visualization is subdivided into multipleregions, the plurality of graphic elements comprises one of the regions,and the accessibility information associated with the region comprisesthe number of data points within the selected region.
 35. The method ofclaim 34, wherein the region is a horizontal slice of the graphicvisualization.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the selected regionis a vertical slice of the graphic visualization.
 37. The method ofclaim 34, wherein the region is a sector in a matrix of grids in thegraphic visualization.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the matrix ofgrids is a 3 by 3 or 9 by 9 matrix of grids.
 39. The method of claim 34,wherein the accessibility information associated with the region furthercomprises the location of the selected region.
 40. The method of claim31, wherein the graphic visualization comprises a line graph, at leastone graphic element comprises a connector, and the accessibilityinformation associated with the at least one graphic element comprises avalue indicating a degree of change from one data point to another. 41.An accessible electronic system comprising: one or more processors;non-transient computer readable storage media encoded with computer codethat when interpreted by the one or more processors results in thedisplay of a graphic visualization with a plurality of graphic elementson a visual display, wherein the graphic elements are selected from aset comprising a title, a plurality of data points positioned on aCartesian plane based on numerical coordinates, a vertical boundary ofthe displayed portion of the Cartesian plane, a horizontal boundarydefining a bottom boundary of the displayed portion of the Cartesianplane, labels for the vertical boundary and the horizontal boundary, anda plurality of increment indicators on each of the vertical boundary andthe horizontal boundary; and the non-transient computer readable storagemedia further encoded with computer code that when interpreted by theone or more processors instructs the computer system to associateaccessibility information with the graphic elements.
 42. The accessibleelectronic system of claim 41, wherein the plurality of graphic elementscomprises an increment indicator and the accessibility informationassociated with the increment indicator comprises an axis label andrange of values.
 43. The accessible electronic system of claim 41,wherein the plurality of graphic elements comprises a data point and theaccessibility information associated with the data point comprises thecoordinates of the data point.
 44. The accessible electronic system ofclaim 41, wherein the graphic visualization is subdivided into multipleregions, the plurality of graphic elements comprises one of the regions,and the accessibility information associated with the region comprisesthe number of data points within the selected region.
 45. The accessibleelectronic system of claim 44, wherein the region is a horizontal sliceof the graphic visualization.
 46. The accessible electronic system ofclaim 44, wherein the selected region is a vertical slice of the graphicvisualization.
 47. The accessible electronic system of claim 44, whereinthe region is a sector in a matrix of grids in the graphicvisualization.
 48. The accessible electronic system of claim 47, whereinthe matrix of grids is a 3 by 3 or 9 by 9 matrix of grids.
 49. Theaccessible electronic system of claim 44, wherein the accessibilityinformation associated with the region further comprises the location ofthe selected region.
 50. The accessible electronic system of claim 41,wherein the graphic visualization comprises a line graph, at least onegraphic element comprises a connector, and the accessibility informationassociated with the at least one graphic element comprises a valueindicating a degree of change from one data point to another.
 51. Anaccessible electronic system comprising: a processor; a visual displaywith a touch-sensitive surface: non-transient computer readable storagemedia encoded with computer code that when interpreted by the processorresults in the display on the visual display of a graphic visualizationhaving a plurality of graphic elements, wherein the graphic elements areselected from a set comprising a title, a plurality of data pointspositioned on a Cartesian plane based on numerical coordinates, avertical boundary of the displayed portion of the Cartesian plane, ahorizontal boundary defining a bottom boundary of the displayed portionof the Cartesian plane, labels for the vertical boundary and thehorizontal boundary, and a plurality of increment indicators on each ofthe vertical boundary and the horizontal boundary; and the non-transientcomputer readable storage media further encoded with computer code thatwhen interpreted by the processor results in the selection of one of theplurality of graphic elements and the outputting of accessibilityinformation associated with the selected graphic element in response tothe detection of a gesture by a finger on the touch-sensitive surface.52. The accessible electronic system of claim 51, wherein the selectedgraphic element is an increment indicator and the accessibilityinformation associated with the selected graphic element comprises anaxis label and range of values.
 53. The accessible electronic system ofclaim 51, wherein the selected graphic element is a data point and theaccessibility information associated with the selected graphic elementcomprises the coordinates of the data point.
 54. The accessibleelectronic system of claim 51, wherein the graphic visualization issubdivided into multiple regions, the selected graphic element is one ofthe regions, and the accessibility information associated with theselected graphic element comprises the number of data points within theselected region.
 55. The method of claim 54, wherein the selected regionis a horizontal slice of the displayed portion of the graphicvisualization.
 56. The method of claim 54, wherein the selected regionis a vertical slice of the displayed portion of the graphicvisualization.
 57. The method of claim 54, wherein the selected regionis a sector in a matrix of grids in the displayed portion of the graphicvisualization.
 58. The method of claim 57, wherein the matrix of gridsis a by 3 or 9 by 9 matrix of grids.
 59. The accessible electronicsystem of claim 51, wherein the graphic visualization comprises a linegraph, at least one graphic element comprises a connector, and theaccessibility information associated with the at least one graphicelement comprises a value indicating a degree of change from one datapoint to another.
 60. The accessible electronic system of claim 51,wherein the non-transient computer readable storage media is encodedwith structured document code containing instructions for generatinggraphic elements and for associating accessibility information with thegraphic elements.
 61. A computer system for generating an annotatedgraphic visualization, comprising: a processor; non-transient computerreadable storage media encoded with instructions for generating graphicvisualization code containing a plurality of graphic elements from adata set, wherein the graphic elements are selected from a setcomprising a title, a plurality of data points positioned on a Cartesianplane based on numerical coordinates, a vertical boundary of thedisplayed portion of the Cartesian plane, a horizontal boundary defininga bottom boundary of the displayed portion of the Cartesian plane,labels for the vertical boundary and the horizontal boundary, and aplurality of increment indicators on each of the vertical boundary andthe horizontal boundary; and the non-transient computer readable storagemedia further encoded with instructions for generating accessibilityinformation associated with the plurality of graphic elements.
 62. Thecomputer system of claim 61, wherein the non-transient computer readablestorage media further comprises instructions for generating graphicvisualization code containing an increment indicator and accessibilityinformation associated with the increment indicator hat comprises anaxis label and range of values.
 63. The computer system of claim 61,wherein the non-transient computer readable storage media furthercomprises instructions for generating a data point and accessibilityinformation associated with the data point that comprises thecoordinates of the data point.
 64. The computer system of claim 61,wherein the non-transient computer readable storage media furthercomprises instructions for generating a graphic visualization that issubdivided into multiple regions wherein the accessibility informationassociated with each region comprises the number of data points withinthe region.
 65. The computer system of claim 64, wherein the region is ahorizontal slice of the graphic visualization.
 66. The method of claim64, wherein the selected region is a vertical slice of the graphicvisualization.
 67. The computer system of claim 64, wherein the regionis a sector in a matrix of grids in the graphic visualization.
 68. Thecomputer system of claim 67, wherein the matrix of grids is a 3 by 3 or9 by 9 matrix of grids.
 69. The computer system of claim 64, wherein theaccessibility information associated with the region further comprisesthe location of the selected region.
 70. The computer system of claim 61wherein the non-transient computer readable storage media is furtherencoded with instructions for generating multiple views of the graphicvisualization, wherein each view has graphic elements unique to thatview and accessibility information associated with the graphic elements.